So you want to learn how to read peoples minds, huh?
How disgustingly nosy!
Just kidding.
We love it to too 🙂
In fact we’ve been in your shoes, if I’m right in assuming that you’ve scoured the internet for magic books that unlock the closely guarded secrets to mentalism…Only to find that their outrageously expensive (and rightly so…)
If your looking for advice, help or simply a second opinion on the best mentalism books out for sale and whether there worth the cost then this post is for you…
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- 7 mentalism books that will change your mind and magic.
- 2 books on body language and cold reading.
- 1 book on improving showmanship and stage presence.
These books will teach you:
- How to APEAR to have mind-boggling and diabolical physic powers.
- The subtle and deeply devious methods that can be used to convince audiences that the performer is not an artist, but a supernatural being.
- How to convince strangers that you know all about them.
- How to develop an unforgettable stage presence.
This is an authentic review; you can trust us amigos…
We’re a small family run business who take pride in our love for books. I personally find that as I’m surfing the internet looking for my next book, I click on posts like this for recommendations and reviews.
Sometimes they’re legit and extremely helpful. Other times it looks like they’ve never held the book in their life. The info is totally biased and postive, with neatly arranged boxes with one purpose in mind: Affiliate Earnings!
That’s not us but here’s our little disclaimer today…
We’re not mentalists…yet. Our journey, like you, is only just beginning in this area of magic and as a result, we may be vulnerable to mistakes in our recommendations. We’ve only actually read two of the books recommended on this list so far, although we definitely intend to work through the rest of the list in due time (magic books are crazy expensive…and pizza comes first)!
Number 1: 13 Steps To Mentalism
Often regarded as ‘the Bible of mentalism’, 13 Steps is the best book on the market for amateur mind readers.
Originally published as 13 individual booklets on different topics of mentalism, they were eventually combined to form this book. The techniques included range from ESP to telepathy, covering the secrets that magicians like Derren Brown still use today!
Before we dive too deep into this mini review I want to suggest a powerful way you can transform this reading experience into an extremely valuable resource.
Watch 13 Steps to Mentalism 6 DVD set Presented by Richard Osterlind (as you work your way through the book…)
Magic Shop is selling a comprehensive video series, where the modern-day master Richard Osterlind performs dynamic effects from each step of 13 Steps to Mentalism in front of a live audience.
Then, along with co-host Jim Sisti, digs deep into the principles and concepts that make this material so strong and timeless.
This video set ably demonstrates why Corinda’s 13 Steps To Mentalism will always be a fundamental and substantial part of any mentalist’s education.
There isn’t as much Mentalism magic material out there as coin and card magic so if you’re interested in mind reading then I’d think this would be a really smart learning investment.
Back to the review:
Here’s what’s inside…
The 13 Steps To Mentalism:
- Mnemonics and Mental Systems
- Mentalism Card Tricks
- Blindfolds & X Rays
- The Swami Gimmick
- Pencil, Lip, Touch, Sound, and Reading Muscles
- Billets
- Book Tests and Fogel Interview
- Two Person Telepathy
- Mediumistic Stunts
- Predictions
- Publicity Stunts
- Question and Answer
- Patter and Presentation
Beginner Mentalists! Read the book. Then watch the series. You’ll have all the groundwork laid out for you!
Welcome to the School of Mentalism…
Total Tuition Fee: £156.98
View DVD’s on Merchant of Magic:
Number 2: Psychological Subtleties…
The three part Psychological Subtleties series features some of the best-selling mentalism magic available on the market.
I’ll be totally transparent and admit I haven’t read this book but just after reading a snippet of Teller’s introduction it’s on my TBR!
“BANACHEK IS BRILLIANT at subtle deceptions. My partner Penn and I have repeatedly called upon his vast knowledge, diabolical ingenuity, and remarkable imagination, and have never been disappointed. This man has the goods, and now you do, too. But be careful. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS BOOK. In the wrong hands, these subtle, deeply devious methods could be used to convince audiences that the performer is not an artist, but a supernatural being. ..”
3 Book Tuition Fee: £144.97 (yikes…)
Number 3: The Encyclopedia of Mentalism
The Encyclopedia of Mentalism and Mentalists is the ultimate resource for mind readers.
This Encyclopedia contains nearly 600 pages of must-have information on performing feats of Mentalism. 13 chapters teach you step-by-step instruction through text and illustration. Also contained in this volume are an additional twelve fascinating chapters detailing the lives of Mind Readers and Psychics past and present.
Disclaimer: This book actually contains 13 Steps To Mentalism. So If you are a mentalist I wouldn’t buy both. Just buy one or the other. I’d recommend getting this one because it’s much cheaper and contains Masters of Deception.
You’re about to earn your graduate in mentalism…Are you ready to turn pro?
Tuition Fee: £28.99
Number Four: Practical Mental Magic
Well, well, well…you’re in for a treat with this one!
In this book one of the greatest of all mental magicians reveals the secrets behind nearly 200 astonishing feats of mental magic. The included routines encompass 12 major categories:
- Effects with Billets and Pellets
- Publicity Effects
- Dead or Alive
- Book Tests
- Thought Foretold
- Envelope Necromancy
- Miracle Slate Routines
- Money Mentalism
- Blindfold Reading
- Mentalism with Cards
- Psychic Codes
- Miscellaneous Mental Masterpieces
Highly Recommended!
Tuition Fee: £14.49
Number Five Pick: PRISM The Colour Series of Mentalism by Max Maven
Fun Fact: Originally produced in extremely small quantities, each book would sell out almost immediately and fetch exorbitant prices on the secondary market. As a result of this incredible demand, Max Maven eventually re-released all 5 Colour Series mentalism booklets as part of one comprehensive book called PRISM: The Colour Series of Mentalism.
To quote Merchant Magic: “While a sizeable literature devoted to mentalism was produced in the past hundred years, little has stood the test of time. Among the scant amount that has is that of MAX MAVEN.”
Tuition Fee: £43.75
Number Six Pick: The Principles of Mentalism
This book is considered to be one his most influential and insightful works, this incredible mentalism book from Richard Osterlind tackles many of the myths and misconceptions impacting the art of mentalism.
What’s inside?
The Principles of Mentalism shares the secrets to effectively developing a performing style and making your mental magic more commercial and powerful.
Why should you read it?
According to Vanishing Inc the concepts and ideas in The Principles of Mentalism will help you take your mentalism and mind reading to heights you never thought possible.
Best of all it has that perfect balance between being life changing for a magician just starting out in mentalism and valuable for seasoned professionals.
Tuition Fee: $25 dollars…
Number 7 Pick: Mind, Myth & Magick by T.A. Waters
Why this book is special: In the 1980’s, one of the most respected professional mentalists in the world T.A. Waters sold 21 booklets of his most amazing mental magic to an exclusive group of individuals. These effects remained his most guarded secrets until, for the first time ever, they were made available to mentalists around the world as part of an 800-page book known as Mind, Myth & Magick.
What’s inside?
Over 800 pages full of astounding and diabolic mentalism. This monumental work contains over 200 effects of Mind Reading and Bizarre Magick, along with extensive re – examinations of psychometry, billet work, book and symbol tests, fortunetelling, Tarot and other classic topics.
Tuition Fee: $371.85
Bonus Books:
Books that magicians recommend reading if you want to learn mentalism…
- What Every Body is Saying: You’ll learn how to read non-verbal cues, which will help you spot others’ true intentions and feelings, even when their mouths are saying something different.
- Quick & Effective Cold Reading: How to convince strangers that you know all about them”, teaches you to principles and techniques for reading people by visual cues, statistical variabilities and other devious mechanisms.
- Magic & Showmanship by Henning Nelms: This book is packed full of invaluable information on how to perform for your audiences and dramatically heighten the effect of a magician’s performance.
100 Books Every Magician Should Read Before They Die!
This definitive ranking contains enough books to keep you busy for a thousand years.
Our challenge:
Read them all before you die!
Eat your veggies people…
P.S. If you actually manage to read all these books then your clinically insane and a legend.
Please send us an email and we’ll give you a prize (and an celebration interview on our podcast…)
Thanks so much for reading 7 Mentalism Books That Will Change Your Mind & Magic:
We hope you found it helpful.
Much Love,
Simeon 🙂
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